CMS, Verma Make Good on Promise of Transparency

Seema Verma, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sat down with 25 reporters on Thursday in a “pen and pad” session.

Verma answered questions on topics ranging from Medicaid work requirements to Medicare for All and hospital transparency.

The series of Q&A sessions are an effort by the Department of Health and Human Services to improve communication between the agency and journalists.

The first meeting came after the Association of Health Care Journalists, in a Feb. 12, 2018, letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, urged top health officials to hold frequent, open press conferences. AHCJ is making audio of these sessions, including this one, available to the public.

This report was provided by Pia Christensen (@AHCJ_Pia), the managing editor/online services for AHCJ. She manages the content and development of healthjournalism.org, coordinates AHCJ’s social media efforts and edits and manages production of association guides, programs and newsletters.